Success!

We had a successful Stiletto Walk this past weekend. The Chi Zeta Omega Chapter held it’s 4th annual walk benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association at Breckinridge Park in Richardson. We raised a total of $3,000.00! It was a morning full of high energy with exercise, massages, vendors on hand, information on Alzheimer and healthy snacks. I love serving in our community!

If you are ever interested in participating in any volunteer work around the Murphy/Plano area, feel free to contact me. I can help you find the perfect project to fit your needs!

-Dawn Redmond

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Wait – Do not cut off the red emergency release cord!

I am sure you have heard there have been quite a few attempted break-ins into garages in Murphy lately.  According to Murphy’s Chief of Police, none of them have been successful, though there has been some damage to some garage doors. Murphy is currently investigating and following up on leads.

What are some things you can do to protect yourself and your home?

1. Remove any remote controlled garage door openers from your car. Instead, use a keychain remote opener so it will always be with you…not left in the car.
2. Lock the door that leads from the garage into the house. It should be treated like you would the main front door of the home.
3. Place a peep hole in the door so if you hear a noise in the garage you can see what is going on without having to open the door.
4. If you have windows into the garage, make sure the blinds are closed or the windows are frosted so it is harder for them to see if a car is in the garage or not. No car means no one is home…more likely of a break-in.
5. Add a motion detecting light on either side of the garage door.
6. Keep bushes and trees around the garage door small and low so it is not an easy hiding place.

What should you NOT do? DO NOT CUT OFF THE RED EMERGENCY RELEASE CORD to your garage door.  Some people say it helps prevents burglars from using a coat hanger to dis-engage the garage door opener BUT it also prevents anyone from being able to get out of the garage in the event of an emergency.  Plus, “Federal Law requires emergency release cords to be installed and maintained on all garage door openers.” Some people will use a zip tie in the holes in the trolley but you must use the smallest you can find! Why? So in an emergency if you need to pull the emergency release cord, it will snap the zip tie. It needs to be strong enough to stop a coat hanger or fishing wire from snagging it BUT will break away with a hard pull of the release cord.

Even though Murphy is known as one of the “safest cities in the U.S.” residents should not leave their guard down!  I am proud of all the Murphy residents for informing one another and talking about different situations. I read about it on Facebook’s MOMS OF MURPHY group and if it wasn’t for them I may not have heard that this was happening.

Thanks neighbors!

-Dawn Redmond

 

Murphy – Safest City To Live In!

If you already live in Murphy, then you are lucky! A study was conducted recently by ValuePenguin and they listed the top 5 safest places in Texas.  Guess who filled the #1 spot? Murphy. They took the most recent FBI crime report and listed them in order from 1 to 210.  Most of the top 5 were in the DFW area.

Wanna move to Murphy now? Give me a call at 972.689.8424 or email me at dawnredmond@ebby.com so I can help you find your dream home!

Local Halloween Activities

Before moving to Dallas in 2006, my family and I lived in Powell, OH which is north of Columbus.  Every Halloween, our neighborhood would potluck and have a parade for the kids before the trick-or-treating began.  It was the perfect time for us to gather before the cold weather hit.  Back then, I took great pride in repurposing clothing and craft materials I had around the house in order to make costumes for my kids.  Here are two of my favorite costumes that I made!

 

Don’t they just look adorable?  Now let me get to the different Halloween activities happening in our area this month!

City of Murphy

The City of Murphy is celebrating the Grand Opening of the Animal Shelter on Saturday, October 25th from 11 to 4 p.m. There will be food, music, kids activities, a pet costume contest, trunk or treats, silent auction and tours of the shelter. You won’t want to miss this! All proceeds will benefit the animal shelter.

The City of Murphy has a list of Safety Tips for you before setting out on Halloween Night. It has some nice reminders to keep you and your children safe. Click here to read further.

City of Sachse

The City of Sachse is hosting a “Pumpkin Prowl“ on Saturday, October 25^th from 6:00 p.m. to sunset. There will be hayrides, bounce houses, costume contest and vendors. At 6:15 will be the Pumpkin Hunt. At sunset, Monster House will be featured on the baseball field.

City of Wylie

The City of Wylie is hosting their annual “Boo on Ballard” on Thursday, October 30^th from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Wylie. It is a free trick or treat event for the kids. There is also a costume contest for the children and the pets! It’s a blast every year so come for some convenient and safe community fun!

I hope everyone has a safe Halloween. Don’t hesitate to call me anytime for your Realtor needs. I am never too busy to help YOU!

-Dawn Redmond

Murphy in the Middle Christmas Activities

12/5

Murphy’s Christmas in the Park will be on Thursday, December 5^th from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Murphy Municipal Complex at 206 N. Murphy Road.  Parking will be at Tom Kimbrough Stadium with shuttles to take you to the free event.  The many activities include:  DJ playing Christmas songs, the McMillan High School Choir and the Wylie High School Choir performing as well as various soloists, dancers from The McMillan High School Drill Team and The Edge Dance Studio dancing group and solo performances, the Tree Decorating Contest winners announced, fire-pits going to roast marshmallows, crafts, Santa photos, plus much more!

12/7

The Wylie Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, December 7^th at the First Baptist Church Events Center at 200 N. Ballard Avenue from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  There will be more than 100 art and craft vendors with many unique and handmade arts and craft items.  Tons of food will be available for purchase. For example, funnel cake, kettle corn, turkey legs, corn dogs, catfish, quesadillas, jambalaya…and so much more!  Activities include:  bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, arts and crafts, performances from local choirs, dance studios and musicians.  The traditional “Festival of Lights Christmas Parade” will be at 5:30 p.m. with the “Tree Lighting Ceremony” at 7:00 p.m.

12/14

Sachse will host their 6^th annual Christmas Parade beginning at 9:30 a.m.  The parade will start at Hudson Middle School at 4405  Hudson Drive in Sachse and head north on Miles Road, turn left on Sachse Road and enter the Park Lake Church parking lot off of Blossom Drive.  Following the parade you can enjoy Santa, cookies and entertainment.  They are collecting canned goods, non-perishable food items and new toys.  Everyone will receive raffle tickets that will be entered into prize drawings.

Check the Blog next week for some fun places to see Holiday Lights!

Collin County Inventory, Sales Prices Up in October

The numbers show that listings and sales prices are increasing, while pending sales remain steady and days on market decrease based on comparing numbers from October numbers from 2012 and 2013.

What does this mean for sellers? List now. Buyers are looking for homes to buy and they will make decisions quickly. Buyers should see more choices, but can expect to pay more as our market stabilizes from this summer’s hot market.

Fun times @ The Thanksgiving Recipe Swap

Good food + good company = a good time by all. I enjoyed meeting new Murphy friends, talking “Murphy” and exchanging cooking secrets. Each participant at the Swap had a chance to sample recipes and later received a copy of each recipe. For the first time, I tried Mincemeat Pie and found that I liked it.

Look for future AT. Deeds events in Murphy.

Thanksgiving Recipe Swap

Please join me on November 17th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Saxby’s Coffee in Murphy. We will be sharing recipe ideas so we can freshen up our Thanksgiving menu this year! Please bring samples of your recipe…enough to feed about 20 people. RSVP’s appreciated! Hope to see you there!

Milky Way Cake

Win hearts this Valentine’s Day with this Milky Way bar and butter love affair. Rich and easy just like your dream mate. P.S. Calories don’t count on 2/14. Hope you like it. http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/milky-way-cake-3/

The Rundown Article Archive: A Three-Ring Workout, Exercise like a clown (without joining the circus)

The Rundown Article Archive: A Three-Ring Workout, Exercise like a clown (without joining the circus).